(This article will update.)
A chimpanzee that escaped its enclosure has been recaptured, the Indianapolis Zoo has confirmed.
Indianapolis fire crews were called to the zoo in response to an “animal bite” about 10:10 a.m. Nov. 14, 2025. Just before 11 a.m. the call was changed to an “investigation” at the zoo, located at 1200 W. Washington St.
The Indianapolis Zoo confirmed in an email sent out minutes after noon that a female chimpanzee had been sedated and returned to her exhibit.
“Zoo guests were safe at all times. There were no injuries to guests, Zoo staff or the animal,” the email from the Indianapolis Zoo reads. “The Zoo’s security, animal care and veterinary teams train for these scenarios and responded in a textbook and professional manner. The Zoo has reopened as normal.”
A visitor at the zoo told IndyStar that they believe the loose chimpanzee is named Mara and that zoo handlers were attempting to tranquilize the animal. Some people were asked to shelter in enclosed exhibits, like the dolphin area, while others were escorted from the property, the visitor said.
Sherman Williams, a bus driver, posted on social media that he was with children at the Indianapolis Zoo as part of a field trip. In the comments on the post, Williams said the kids were back on the school bus.
“I’m on a Field Trip at the Indianapolis Zoo with 37 kids, parents, and teachers. Why is there a Chimpanzee on the loose at the Zoo,” Williams’ post reads.
The evening of Nov. 13, the zoo’s Facebook page was updated with a short video of a chimpanzee birthday party.
The escape and recapture comes weeks after two endangered tortoises were stolen from the zoo. Both were returned after being found dumped in a box at a park in Pendleton, roughly a 50-minute drive northeast of Indianapolis.
